Friday, 20 November 2015

Revit Legend Views

Legend views
are 'dumb'. We just need to accept this. We expect everything to synchronise in
Revit, but this just isn’t the case….yet. Our expectations are perhaps a little
too high when we move to Revit. We are lead to believe it is the answer to all
our documentation problems.

These legend views
are unique in that they allow us to duplicate them on multiple sheets. Unfortunately
though, legend views cannot amongst other things, synchronise with references
tags (inhibiting our ability to create for example, intelligent door and window
elevation drawings).

Therefore,
limit the use of these legend views for things such as general notes, stamps or
office standards that very rarely change. Legend views also allow us to bring in
components to the view and then annotate these components, however views of these components can also be limited. Detail line tools
available to us in drafting views can be used in legend views.

There are a
number of workarounds for what we wish legend views did. Using design options
or phasing is the most common techniques (assemblies are also an option).
Whilst not perfect, if you spend a little time refining these alternatives,
they can work quite well. Also don’t forget about keynote legends and
schedules.

Don't rule
out tweaking your workflows a little. Revit is a tool, so make the tool work
for you. If you choose to stubbornly stand your ground and say “NO, Revit
should do this, it’s what I pay subscription fees for, this is BIM software, blah
blah blah…” then you will remain frustrated and what should be a positive
experience will remain a negative one.

I think it’s
funny that many of us have gone from manually coordinating everything for years
in AutoCAD to “Revit should coordinate EVERYTHING!” Well, yes, that is what
they are aiming for, but for now, how about a little of both? If you know of perfect
software, point me to it!

In the
meantime, help out the community by visiting AUGI Wish List. Post your wishes and support others by voting.